Choosing your first Telescope can be a daunting task. However, at Red Carpet Telescopes, we strive to make choosing your first Telescope simple and straightforward!

There are four basic elements to consider when shopping for your first Telescope:

1. Budget: You first need to decide how much you are willing to spend. This will help narrow down your most ideal choices.  

2. Aperture: Refers to the diameter of the mirror or lens. A large diameter lets in more light. This is the number one factor that determines what you will see.

3. Focal Length: A longer focal length increases the size of objects. Ideally, you choose a size that’s easily moved or transported.

4. Magnification: This is determined by focal length and eyepiece magnification. The eyepiece can be upgraded later.

5. Control & Mount: We recommend a manually controlled Dobsonian Mount for the first time user.

Conclusions:

At Red Carpet Telescopes, we typically recommend a Dobsonian Reflector style of Telescope for the first time user. See the below examples of two of our Best Selling Reflectors:

Explore Scientific FirstLight 8" Dobsonian Reflector Telescope	Explore Scientific FirstLight 10" Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

However, depending on your circumstances, a Refractor Telescope might be more suitable. For example, if you don't have a lot of space, you may want to opt for a small Refractor. Or, if you are travelling and/or constantly on-the-go, the portability of many of our Refractors are ideal. On the other hand, a Refractor might just be the more affordable option, depending on your budget. See the below examples of some of our Best Selling Refractors: 

Levenhuk Strike 90 PLUS Telescope	Carson Red Planet Telescope With Smartphone Adapter Bundle RP-200SP	Explore FirstLight 127mm Doublet Refractor With Twilight I Mount

For more information on different Telescopes, check out our Blog post Breakdown: The Different Types Of Telescopes to learn more. 

If you have any questions regarding any of our products, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email, live chat (during posted hours), or give us a call! Visit our Contact Us page for details!